* Seeing game action for the first time
since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery last August, Tim Hudson
tossed two scoreless innings at high Single-A last night. “I felt
really good,” Hudson said. “The ball felt really good coming out of my
hand and I didn’t have any problems with my arm.”

Barring a setback Hudson could be back in Atlanta at some point next
month and the Braves have plenty of incentive to evaluate his arm with
a $12 million team option or $1 million buyout looming for next season.

* Jason Schmidt hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 16, 2007, but will start for the Dodgers tonight
after posting a 3.65 ERA and 37/14 K/BB ratio in 44.1 innings while
rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder in the minors. His last
big-league victory came nearly 28 months ago, so don’t expect much.